Electronic transaction method and system

ABSTRACT

A server system has stored therein a plurality of electronic transaction procedures corresponding to elements or combinations thereof including means of payment settlement of a purchased commodity, amount of deal, contents of the purchased commodity, financial institutions for making the settlement and so on. The server system selects one of the electronic transaction procedures corresponding to elements or a combination thereof, including means of payment settlement of a commodity to be purchased when a purchase-side client system requests a seller to sell the commodity. The electronic transaction procedure is distributed to the offer-side client, the purchase-side client and the settlement-side client through a communication network. Each of the offer-side client, the purchase-side client and the settlement-side client executes electronic transaction processes according to the distributed electronic transaction procedure. Either all of the selected electronic transaction procedure is distributed from the server system to the client systems at a time or parts of the electronic transaction procedure are successively distributed to the client systems from the server system.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/225,003, filed Jan. 4,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,839; which is a continuation of Ser. No.08/788,446, filed Jan. 29, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,446.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic transaction method andsystem for electronically making a commercial transaction through acommunication network, and particularly to an electronic transactionmethod and system capable of flexible electronic transaction by changingan electronic transaction process at each seller or financialinstitution or each element concerned with settlement such asmerchandise to sell and an amount of money or at each combinationthereof.

A remarkable electronic transaction system through a network is anelectronic transaction system utilizing the Internet. This electronictransaction system, unlike the ones using the personal computercommunications and CATV, has the advantage of being able to be used byeveryone if connected to the Internet. In order to have electronicdealings through the Internet, it is necessary to provide a securecommunications procedure capable of maintaining the secret of data incommunication and a certifying procedure for confirming a person orcompany with which one has dealings.

Various different electronic transaction procedures have been developedfor these necessaries. There are STT (secure transaction technology;executed by Microsoft and VISA), SEPP (secure electronic paymentprotocol; used by MasterCard, IBM, Netscape, CyberCash, and GTE Corp)and SET which are used for settlement of credits. These satisfy theabove requirements by defining different data items in communication,coding/decoding systems, digital signature/certification procedure, anddata checking method. Thus, the user can make secure electronictransaction on the Internet by executing applications software havingthese procedures utilized.

In addition, these electronic transaction procedures are being tried tobe unified. One of the combined versions is Universal Payment Protocol(CyberCash). In this combined version, data contents are expressed inMIME form, and communication data items are automatically sent on anapplication of the described procedure. The Universal Payment Protocolis written in, for example, INTERNET-DRAFT, “Universal PaymentPreamble”, Nov. 6, 1995, pp. 2-15.

However, in order to use an application having STT, SEPP or SETincorporated, it is necessary to previously install it in the terminalsfor an electronic transaction. Thus, both seller and buyer must have thesame application in order to make electronic transaction.

Also, since this application is now used only for the settlement ofcredits, transfer of money to a bank and settlement of electronic moneywill be required to use an application that has another electronictransaction procedure incorporated. In other words, the electronictransaction user needs various kinds of application soft for therespective electronic transaction procedures, which increase thecapacity of the memory in the user's terminal.

Moreover, when there is a need to change the electronic transactionprocedure, coding/decoding system, digital signature/certificationprocedure or data checking method in order to improve the service to theusers, a new application after the change must be again distributed tothe users. Therefore, it is not possible to flexibly and swiftlyovercome the difficulties in the change of electronic transactionprocedures.

Meanwhile, the Universal Payment Protocol can unify data communications,but still needs various different applications because received data aretreated by each application for electronic transaction. This results inthe increase of the capacity of the memory in the terminal of theelectronic transaction user as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an electronictransaction method and system capable of solving the problems with theprior art to thereby decrease the number of applications necessary foran electronic deal, and to flexibly and swiftly cope with the alterationof the electronic transaction procedure without limitation toparticipants.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronictransaction method for making an electronic deal by basically using anoffer-side client system to be used by a seller of a commodity, apurchase-side client system to be used by a buyer of the commodity, asettlement-side client system for settlement of the purchase of thecommodity, and a server system for supporting electronic transactionprocesses of the commodity which are connected through a communicationnetwork, and by executing electronic transaction processes for thesettlement of the commodity to be purchased, according to a certainelectronic transaction procedure among the purchase-side client system,the offer-side client system and the settlement-side client system whenthe purchase-side client requests the offer-side client to sell thecommodity, the method including the steps of storing in the serversystem a plurality of electronic transaction procedures corresponding toelements or combinations of elements including means of paymentsettlement of the commodity, amount of deal, contents of the commodityand financial institutions participating in the payment settlement,selecting one of the electronic transaction procedures corresponding toa combination of elements including the means of payment settlement ofthe commodity in the server system when the purchase-side clientrequests the offer-side client to sell the commodity, and distributingthe electronic transaction procedure through the communication networkto the offer-side client system, the purchase-side client system and thesettlement-side client system, and executing the electronic transactionprocesses according to the distributed electronic transaction procedurein the offer-side client system, the purchase-side client system and thesettlement-side client system to thereby achieve the settlement of thepurchased commodity, or the electronic deal.

Moreover, according to the invention, there is provided an electronictransaction system having: a server system which includes storage meanshaving stored therein a plurality of electronic transaction procedurescorresponding to elements or combinations of elements including means ofpayment settlement of the commodity, amount of deal, contents of thecommodity and financial institutions participating in the paymentsettlement, procedure selecting means for selecting one electronictransaction procedure corresponding to the elements including the meansof payment settlement of the commodity in accordance with the purchaserequest from the purchase-side client system, and transmitting means fortransmitting the selected electronic transaction procedure through thecommunication network to the offer-side client system, the purchase-sideclient system and the settlement-side client system; and an offer-sideclient system, purchase-side client system and settlement-side clientsystem each of which includes processing means for executing electronictransaction processes according to the electronic transaction proceduredistributed from the server system.

In this case, the electronic transaction procedure is distributed by thefollowing ways:

(1) It is distributed to each client system at a time

(2) It is transferred together with a message of commodity informationand so on to a participant client system in the order of participants inan electronic deal.

(3) A current participant client system requests the server system tosend a part of the electronic transaction procedure necessary at thenext stage, and the part of the electronic transaction proceduredistributed from the server in accordance with this request istransferred together with a message to the next participant.

(4) A current participant client system requests the server system tosend a part of the electronic transaction procedure necessary at thepresent stage, and the sever distributes it to the client system inresponse to this request.

Here, the commodity to be treated in the electronic deal is not limitedto concrete objects, but may include intangible assets such as pay guideinformation and pay legal advice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the initial processing of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the whole arrangement of an electronic transaction systemincluding devices for executing the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the modules of an electronic transactionclient constituting the electronic transaction system in the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the electronic transaction client and serverin the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart associated with FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionserver in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transaction inFIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows the whole arrangement of the electronic transactionprocedure used in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows the structure of a participant table used in the firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of an order table used in the firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of a duty procedure used in the firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows the structure of a procedure used in the first embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of a progression table used in the firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 shows the structure of an electronic transaction managementtable used in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of an electronic transaction procedureselection table used in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for the electronic transaction client and serverin the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart associated with FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionserver process in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionprocess in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart for the electronic transaction server in thethird embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionserver process in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionprocess in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart for the electronic transaction server in thefourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionserver process in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart for the details of the electronic transactionprocess in FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the initial processing of the invention. FIG.2 shows the whole arrangement of the electronic transaction systemincluding devices for embodying the invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagramof the arrangement of a typical client device in this embodiment.

The electronic transaction system will be first described with referenceto FIG. 2.

The electronic transaction system of this embodiment has an electronictransaction server 11 for managing an electronic transaction procedure,electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 as participants who makeelectronic transaction, and a communication network 15 which connectsthe server and the clients together.

In this example, there are three participants for electronictransaction, of which the electronic transaction client 12 is a systemfor receiving electronic transaction services (for example, a buyer),and of which the electronic transaction clients 13 and 14 are systemsfor providing electronic transaction services (for example, sellers,financial institutions).

While the electronic transaction server 11 is independently providedhere, any one of the electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 mayfunction as both the server and itself.

(1) The Arrangement of Electronic Transaction Server 11

The electronic transaction server 11 has a computer 111 and a storagedevice 114 and is connected to the outside through a communication cable115.

The storage device 114 is not limited to a magnetic disk, but may be anoptical disk, a magnetooptical disk or a semiconductor memory. The mostimportant thing is that the storage device has enough capacity to storeprograms to be executed and a large amount of data files.

In the storage device 114 of the electronic transaction server 11 ispreviously stored an electronic transaction procedure that includes thenames of participants in electronic transaction and a written procedurefor duties to be treated among the participants.

It is desirable that the communication cable 115 be able to fasttransmit a large amount of data like an optical cable.

In this case, when data are received or transmitted on a radiocommunication channel between the server 11 and the communicationnetwork 15, the communication cable 115 is replaced by a radiocommunication channel interface.

The arrangement of the system for embodying the invention may be onegenerally called computer system. The electronic transaction server 11simultaneously supplies an electronic transaction procedure from itsstorage device 114 to a large number of other systems, and thus itshould be desirably a high-speed large-capacity computer system.Specifically, it should be a large computer or high-performanceworkstation of course, even a special system produced exclusively forthe invention should have the functions of the peripheral apparatusgiven above.

(2) The Arrangement of Electronic Transaction Client 12

The electronic transaction client 12 has a computer 121, an input unit122, an output unit 123 and a storage device 124 and is connected to acommunication cable 125.

The input unit 122 is constituted by a keyboard and a pointing device(e.g., mouse, and pen), and if necessary, by a label reader (e.g.,bar-code reader and handy scanner) in order to easily input from acatalog sheet.

The output unit 123 is desirably constructed by a high-definitiondisplay and a loud speaker in order to correctly and precisely describegoods.

The storage device 124 is not limited to a magnetic disk, but may be anoptical disk, a magnetooptical disk or a semiconductor memory. Theessential thing is that the storage device has enough capacity to storeprograms to be executed, and a large amount of data files.

The communication cable 125 should be able to fast transmit a largequantity of data like an optical cable. In this case, when data isreceived and transmitted on a radio communication channel between theclient and the communication network 15, the communication cable 125 isreplaced by a radio communication channel interface.

The arrangement of the system for embodying the invention may be onegenerally called computer system. Specifically, it may be a personalcomputer or the like which the general user can own with ease. Ofcourse, even a special system produced exclusively for the inventionshould have the functions of the peripheral apparatus given above.

(3) The Arrangement of Electronic Transaction Client 13

The electronic transaction client 13 has a computer 131 and a storagedevice 134, and is connected to a communication cable 135. The storagedevice 134 is not limited to a magnetic disk, but may be an opticaldisk, a magnetooptical disk or a semiconductor memory. The main thing isthat the storage device has enough capacity to store programs to beexecuted, and a large amount of data files.

The communication cable 135 should be able to fast transmit a largeamount of data like an optical cable. In this case, when data arereceived and transmitted on a radio communication channel between theclient 13 and the communication network 15, the communication cable 135is replaced by a radio communication channel interface.

The arrangement of the system for embodying the invention may be onegenerally called computer system. The electronic transaction client 13simultaneously serves a large number of other systems, and thus itshould be a high-speed large-capacity computer system. Specifically, itshould be a large computer or high-performance workstation. Of course,even a special system produced exclusively for the invention should havethe functions of the peripheral apparatus given above.

(4) The Arrangement of Electronic Transaction Client 14

The electronic transaction client 14 is similar to the client 13, or hasa computer 141 and a storage device 144, and is connected to acommunication cable 145. The storage device 144 is not limited to amagnetic disk, but may be an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk or asemiconductor memory. The main thing is that the storage device hasenough capacity to store programs to be executed, and a large amount ofdata files.

The communication cable 145 should be able to fast transmit a largeamount of data like an optical cable. In this case, when data arereceived and transmitted on a radio communication channel between theclient 14 and the communication network 15, the communication cable 145is replaced by a radio communication channel interface.

(5) The Arrangement of Communication Network 15

The communication network 15 is constructed by a high-speedcommunication network such as B-ISDN.

The modules of client 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic transaction client 12. Theother clients 13 and 14 have the same construction.

The computer 121 is constituted by an analyzer 21, a processor 22, aprocess library 23 and a communication library 24.

The analyzer 21 analyzes an electronic transaction procedure forelectronic transaction among a seller, a buyer and a financialinstitution.

The processor 22 processes the electronic transaction procedure analyzedby the analyzer 21, by using the process library 23 and communicationlibrary 24.

The process library 23 is used by the processor 22, and includescode/decode library and GUI library for output display.

The communication library 24 is used by the processor 22 to communicatewith other systems (electronic transaction server 11 and electronictransaction clients 13, 14).

The processing operations of this embodiment according to the flow chartof FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, it isassumed that the offer/retrieval/decision of information concerned withgoods to be treated in an electronic transaction is already finished.Also, the electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 are assumed to bethe systems used by a buyer, a seller and a financial institution,respectively. Moreover, an electronic transaction is assumed to bestarted by the buyer, or electronic transaction client 12.

Step 1201

Information necessary for selecting an electronic transaction procedureis inputted by the input unit 122 of the electronic transaction client12.

The information necessary for selecting an electronic transactionprocedure is the information of elements associated with settlement or acombination thereof, such as information concerned with the way tosettle an account of transfer of money to a bank or credits, informationof amount of deal in this electronic deal, information concerned withthe contents and property of merchandise, and information relating tofinancial institutions.

The property of a commodity indicates the information of whether thecommodity can be distributed through the network or whether it isrequired to be transported by mail.

Step 1202

The information inputted for selecting an electronic transactionprocedure at step 1201 is transmitted from the electronic transactionclient 12 through the communication network 15 to the electronictransaction sever 11.

Step 1101

The electronic transaction server 11 receives the electronic transactionprocedure selection information from the electronic transaction client12 through the communication network 15.

Step 1102

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure from the storage device 114 on the basis of thereceived electronic transaction procedure selection information.

Step 1103

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits a duty procedure to beprocessed, to the participants (here, electronic transaction clients 12,13 and 14) of which the names are included in the retrieved electronictransaction procedure, through the communication network 15.

Steps 1203, 1301, 1401

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 receive the dutyprocedure from the electronic transaction server 11 through thecommunication network 15.

Steps 1204, 1302, 1402

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 cause their analyzers21 to analyze the received duty procedure.

Steps 1205, 1303, 1403

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 force their processors22 to execute the duty procedure analyzed by the analyzers 21 by use ofthe process library 23 and communication library 24.

If the means of settlement selected by the buyer is “transfer of moneyto a bank”, the electronic transaction procedure corresponding to the“transfer of money to a bank” is distributed from the electronictransaction server 11 to each client 12, 13, 14. Thus, the electronictransaction is performed according to the distributed electronictransaction procedure.

Similarly, if the amount of money at this transaction corresponds to“large-amount-of-money transaction exceeding a standard amount of moneyestablished by financial institutions”, an electronic transactionprocedure including a special certification procedure for expecting thesafety of the transaction is distributed from the electronic transactionserver 11 to each client 12, 13, 14, which then executes the electronictransaction according to the distributed electronic transactionprocedure.

Similarly, if the commodity to be offered by the seller has the propertycapable of being distributed through the communication network, thetransaction procedure according to this property is distributed from theserver 11 to each client 12, 13, 14, which then executes the electronictransaction according to the distributed electronic transactionprocedure.

The electronic transaction procedure distributed to each client 12, 13,14 is erased at the end of the transaction in order that the procedureitself is not open to the other people. Although the electronictransaction procedure is erased at each client, various kinds of tablesuch as progression table may be left stored for the purpose of errorrecovery or the like.

As described above, before the start of the electronic transaction, theinformation of means for settlement, amount of money in transaction, andcontents and property of goods are inputted by the buyer, or electronictransaction client 12, and transmitted as the electronic transactionprocedure selection information to the electronic transaction server 11.The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure corresponding to the electronic transactionprocedure selection information from the storage device 114, anddistributes it to the electronic transaction client 12 associated withthis electronic transaction. Then, the electronic transaction isexecuted in accordance with the electronic transaction procedurereceived by each client 12, 13, 14. Therefore, the number ofapplications necessary for the electronic transaction can be decreased.In addition, the electronic transaction procedure can be flexibly andswiftly changed, and the electronic transaction can be performed withoutlimitation to the customers.

In other words, each client 12, 13, 14 does not need to previously holdelectronic transaction procedures corresponding to various kinds ofmeans of settlement, and is able to flexibly make electronic transactionwithout limitation to the customers.

In addition, even if the electronic transaction procedure is required tochange in order to improve the service to the buyer, the portion to bechanged is only the electronic transaction procedure stored in thestorage device 114 of the electronic transaction server 11, and thusthis change can be made swiftly and simply.

Moreover, since each client 12, 13, 14 should have incorporated thereinonly the communication processing function to receive the electronictransaction procedure distributed from the electronic transaction server11, it is possible to reduce the capacities of the storage devices 124,134 and 144.

In this case, each client 12, 13, 14 may have a specific electronictransaction procedure previously incorporated.

The first embodiment of the invention will be described in detail withreference to related drawings. Here, a description will be made of anelectronic transaction method including means for managing an electronictransaction.

FIGS. 4 to 17 are flow charts of the first embodiment of the invention.Of these figures, FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts for the operationsincluding the transmission and reception of data between the electronictransaction client 12 (buyer) and the electronic transaction server 11,FIG. 6 is a flow chart for the operations including the transmission andreception of data between the electronic transaction client 13 (seller)and the electronic transaction client 14 (financial institution), andFIG. 7 is a flow chart for the internal processing within the electronictransaction server 11. Also, FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts for theelectronic transaction processing in the electronic transaction clients12, 13, 14, FIGS. 10 to 14 are diagrams of the structures of theelectronic transaction procedure, FIG. 15 is a diagram of the structureof a progression table for managing the progressive situations of theelectronic transaction procedure, FIG. 16 is a diagram of the structureof an electronic transaction management table for managing theprogressive situation at each electronic transaction, and FIG. 17 is adiagram of the structure of an electronic transaction procedureselection table for selecting one of a plurality of electronictransaction procedures.

It is assumed that the whole structure of the electronic transactionsystem including the apparatus, units or devices for realizing thisembodiment is as in FIG. 2 and that each client 12, 13, 14 isconstructed by such modules as shown in FIG. 3.

First, a description will be made of an electronic transaction procedure31 previously stored in the storage device 114 of the electronictransaction server 11.

The electronic transaction procedure 31 is constructed by a participanttable 311, an order table 312 and a plurality of duty procedures 313 asshown in FIG. 10.

The participant table 311 is used to define participants in anelectronic transaction. As illustrated in FIG. 11, this table isconstituted by a participants' names column 411, a duty procedures'names column 412 indicative of duty procedures to be used byparticipants, a participants' addresses column 413, and a remarks column414.

The participants' names column 411 includes comprehensive names ofparticipants making business operations such as buyer, seller andfinancial institution. For example, in the participant table 311 of FIG.11, there are listed the name of a buyer, or “USE 1”, the name of aseller, or “OFFER 1” and the name of a financial institution, or“SETTLEMENT 1”. When a participant is determined, an address associatedto the participant is written in the address field of the participanttable 311.

The order table 312 is used to define the order in which the processesof an electronic transaction procedure are executed. As illustrated inFIG. 12, this table is constituted by an electronic transactionprocedure ID 421 indicating an identifier for an electronic transactionprocedure, an order column 422, a participants' names column 423, and aprocess names column 424.

The electronic transaction procedure ID 421 corresponds to theidentification number of the procedure to be used for this electronictransaction. For example, for the settlement of a credit, is used theelectronic transaction procedure of the electronic transaction procedureID corresponding to a means of the settlement.

The duty procedure 313 is a collection of process procedures for eachparticipant. As shown in FIG. 13, this duty procedure is constituted byan electronic transaction procedure ID 441, and a plurality of processprocedures 314.

The process procedures 314 are used to define individual processprocedures. As shown in FIG. 14, each process procedure 314 isconstructed by a process ID 431, a message decomposing method 432, adisplay screen definition list 433, an external processing method 434, amessage generating method 435 and a message transmitting method 436.

The message decomposing method 432 is used to define the messagedecomposing method and examination, such as a certification process(including a cipher library, the bit length of a cipher key, and thedefinition of a unidirectional function) for a message or a digitalsignature made on data items of different kinds, a decoding process(including a cipher library and the definition of the bit length of acipher key) for a cipher given on a message or data, a process fordecomposing a group of a plurality of kinds of data into each kind ofdata, and the examination on the kinds of data included in a message(the comparison between kinds of data of the same contents included inthe same message and sent from other different sources, or thecomparison between data already stored and a kind of data included in amessage).

The display screen definition list 433 includes display forms defined onthe output unit 123 such as letters, figures, images, tables, a textinput box, command buttons, option buttons, radio buttons, list buttons,a list box and a combo box, which are used for input data.

The external processing method 434 includes processing methods definedfor external apparatus and external modules, such as an inventoryconfirmation process to a stock management system, acommodity-sending-out order process or order cancel process to acommodity-sending-out order system, an authorization process to anauthorization system, a process to a basic system such as a settlementprocess to a settlement system, and a transaction information deliveryprocess to a household account book soft for managing a householdaccount.

The message generating method 435 includes message generating methodsdefined to be transmitted to the server and other clients, such as acipher process to a message or data of different kinds (including thedefinitions of a cipher library, the bit length of a cipher key and thelike), a digital signature process to a message or data of differentkinds (including the definitions of a cipher library used, the bitlength of a cipher key and a unidirectional function), an irreversibleprocess by a unidirectional function to data, and a process forcompounding a plurality of kinds of data into a single group of data.

The message transmitting method 436 is the definitions of the methods ofgenerating a message to be transmitted to the server and other clients,such as on-line communication, mail communication using SMTP (simplemail transfer protocol), data communication by HTTP (hyper text transferprotocol), and presence or absence of all-cipher message communication(including the definitions of a cipher library used, the bit-length of acipher key and so on).

The progression table 51 is used to manage the progressive situations ofan electronic transaction under process. As shown in FIG. 15, this tableis constituted by an electronic transaction ID 511 for identifying anelectronic transaction, an electronic transaction procedure ID 512, anorder.column 513, a participants' names column 514, a process namescolumn 515, and controlled situations. Here, the controlled situationsinclude a message arrival time column 516 and a process completion timecolumn 517.

The number of the electronic transaction procedure ID 512 is the same asthat of the electronic transaction procedure ID 421 in FIG. 12 and asthat of the electronic transaction procedure ID 441 in FIG. 13.

The electronic transaction ID 511 corresponds to the slip number ingeneral transaction, and is generated by the electronic transactionserver 11 each time a buyer generates a demand for an electronic deal.

The electronic transaction management table 61 is used to manage theelectronic transactions already finished at the present time or thoseunder execution. As shown in FIG. 16, this table is constituted by anumber column 611, an electronic transaction ID column 612, and a statuscolumn 613. Here, the status column 613 indicates “END” when anelectronic transaction is finished, or “UNDER PROCESS” when anelectronic transaction is now being processed, those indicated statesbeing stored.

The number of the electronic transaction ID column 612 coincide withthat of the electronic transaction ID 511 in FIG. 15.

The electronic transaction procedure selection table 71 is used toselect an electronic transaction procedure corresponding to anelectronic transaction. As shown in FIG. 17, this table is constitutedby settlement information (a settlement means column 711 and a financialinstitution name column 712), and an electronic transaction procedure IDcolumn 713.

The number of the selected electronic transaction procedure ID 713corresponds to those of the electronic transaction procedure ID 421,441, 512 in FIGS. 12, 13, 15.

If a buyer selects “SETTLEMENT MEANS 711=CREDIT SETTLEMENT”, “FINANCIALINSTITUTION NAME=CREDIT A” as settlement information, an electronictransaction procedure of “ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION PROCEDURE ID=123456” isselected, and the electronic deal is performed according to thisselected procedure. The electronic transaction procedure selection table71 is previously generated and stored in the storage device 114 of theserver 11.

The operations of this embodiment according to the flow charts in FIGS.4 to 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10 to 17.

It is assumed that the offer/retrieval/decision of information about thegoods to be treated in electronic dealings are already finished. Inaddition, an electric deal is started from the electronic transactionclient 12.

All the processes of an electronic transaction will be described withreference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

Step 2201

A buyer inputs settlement information by the input unit 122 of theelectronic transaction client 12. The settlement information isconstructed by information of settlement means and financial institutionname.

The settlement means includes, for example, two kinds of settlement bycredit and direct payment to bank.

Thus, a buyer inputs, or selects, for example, “CREDIT SETTLEMENT” bythe input unit 122 of the electronic transaction client 12 and “CREDITA” as a financial institution.

Step 2202

The electronic transaction client 12 transmits the settlementinformation inputted at step 2201 to the electronic transaction server11 through the communication network 15.

Step 2101

The electronic transaction server 11 receives the settlement informationfrom the electronic transaction client 12 through the communicationnetwork 15.

Step 2102

The electronic transaction sever 11 generates an electronic transactionID for identifying this electronic deal. For example, it generates“ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION ID=19960101”.

Step 2103

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure 31 corresponding to the settlement informationfrom the storage device 114 on the basis of the settlement informationreceived from the electronic transaction client 12 and the electronictransaction procedure selection table 71.

If “CREDIT SETTLEMENT” AND “CREDIT A” are selected as settlementinformation by the buyer, “ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION PROCEDURE ID=1234567”is obtained from the electronic transaction procedure selection table71, and the electronic transaction procedure 31 specified by this“ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION PROCEDURE ID=1234567” is retrieved from thestorage device 114.

Step 2104

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the progression table 51shown in FIG. 15 on the basis of the order table 312 included in theretrieved electronic transaction procedure 31.

This progression table 51 indicates that the clients 12, 13 and 14 ofthe buyer, seller and financial institution are respectively required toexecute the process designated by the process name column 515 in theorder according to the order column 513.

In other words, first the buyer, or client 12 makes “ORDER INPUTPROCESS” indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 1” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 1”,second the seller, or client 13 makes “ORDER ACCEPTANCE/AUTHORIZATIONREQUEST PROCESS” indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 1” of “DUTY PROCEDURE2”, and third the financial institution, or client 14 makes“AUTHORIZATION PROCESS” indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 1” of “DUTYPROCEDURE 3”. Fourth the buyer, or client 13 makes “AUTHORIZATIONCONFIRMATION/ORDER RESULT TRANSMISSION REQUEST PROCESS” indicated at“PROCESS PROCEDURE 2” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 2”, and fifth the buyer, orclient 12 makes “ORDER CONFIRMATION PROCESS” indicated at “PROCESSPROCEDURE 2” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 1”.

Moreover, sixth the seller, client 13 makes “SETTLEMENT REQUEST PROCESS”indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 3” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 2”, seventh thefinancial institution, or client 14 makes “SETTLEMENT PROCESS” indicatedat “PROCESS PROCEDURE 2” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 3”, eighth the seller, orclient 13 makes “SETTLEMENT CONFIRMATION/DEAL RESULT TRANSMISSIONPROCESS” indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 4” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 2”, andninth the buyer, or client 12 makes “DEAL CONFIRMATION PROCESS”indicated at “PROCESS PROCEDURE 3” of “DUTY PROCEDURE 1”.

Step 2105

The electronic transaction server 11 controls the storage device 114 tostore the generated progression table 51.

Step 2106

The electronic transaction server 11 writes “UNDER PROCESS” in thestatus column 613 of the electronic transaction management table 61 atthe location corresponding to the.electronic transaction ID generated atstep 2102.

Step 2107

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the progression table 51and the duty procedure 313 through the communication network 15 to theclients (here, the electronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14) includedin the participants table 311 of the electronic transaction procedure 31retrieved at step 2103.

Thus, the electronic transaction procedure corresponding to thesettlement information selected by the buyer is distributed to theparticipants included in the participants table 311 of the electronictransaction procedure 31, or the electronic transaction clients 12, 13and 14. The distributed procedure specifically includes the dutyprocedure 313 to be executed by each client 12, 13, 14, and theprogression table 51 which indicates the order of execution for the dutyprocedure.

Then, each client executes the process indicated in each duty procedurein the order defined in the progression table 51.

Steps 2203, 2301, 2401

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 receive the progressiontable 51 and duty procedure 313 from the electronic transaction server11 through the communication network 15.

Steps 2204, 2302, 2402

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 write “UNDER PROCESS”in the status column 613 of the electronic transaction management tables61 within their storage devices 124, 134 and 144 at the locations of theelectronic transaction ID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID511 included in the received progression table 51. The electronictransaction management table 61 may have a possibility of havingdifferent contents depending on a deal associated with each of clients12, 13 and 14 and server 11.

Steps 2205, 2303, 2403

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 respectively force thestorage devices 124, 134 and 144 to store the received progression table51 and duty procedure 313.

Step 2108

The electronic transaction server 11 executes an electronic transactionserver process. This electronic transaction server process will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 7.

Steps 2206, 2304, 2404

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 execute an electronictransaction process. This electronic transaction process will bedescribed later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Electronic Transaction Server Process

An electronic transaction server process at step 2108 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 7.

The electronic transaction server 11 receives data concerned withdealings from participants (electronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14)(at step 3101), and replaces the progression table stored in the storagedevice 114 by that included in the received data (at step 3102).

In other words, the latest progression table used in the previouselectronic deal is replaced by the progression table 51 which is goingto be used in a new deal.

Then, decision is made of whether “END” identifier is included in thereceived data (at step 3103). If it is included, the program goes tostep 3104. If it is not included, the program goes to step 3101. In thiscase, “END” identifier means “END” of electronic deal.

At step 3104, the state change from “UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made atthe location of electronic transaction ID in the status column 613corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 51 included in thisreceived progression table 51 of the electronic transaction managementtable 61.

Then, the electronic transaction procedure 31 corresponding to theelectronic transaction procedure ID 512 is retrieved from the storagedevice 114 on the basis of the electronic transaction procedure ID 512included in the progression table 51 (at step 3105).

Thereafter, the progression table 51 and end identifier are transmittedto the participants included in the participants table 311 of theretrieved electronic transaction procedure 31, and this electronictransaction is completed (at step 3106)

Electronic Transaction Process

The electronic transaction process which each client 12, 13, 14 executeswill be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, since theoperations of the electronic transaction clients are the same, thetypical operation of the client 12 will be mentioned below.

The electronic transaction client 12 retrieves a participant who firstprocesses, with reference to the progression table 51 received from theserver 11 (at step 3201).

Decision is made of whether a client concerned corresponds to theparticipant who first processes (at step 3202). If it is so, the programgoes to step 3207. If it is not so, the program goes to step 3203.

If a client concerned is not the participant who first processes, datais received from other participants or server 11 (at step 3203).

The progression table 51 included in the received data is stored in thestorage device 124 to replace the previous progression table (at step3204).

Then, decision is made of whether the end identifier is included in thereceived data (at step 3205). If it is so, the program goes to step 3206since this electronic deal ends. If it is not so, the program goes tostep 3207.

If the end identifier is included in the received data, the change from“UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of the electronictransaction ID in the status column 613 of the electronic transactionmanagement table 61 which the electronic transaction client 12 itselfhas, corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 511 included in thereceived progression table 51 (at step 3206). From this, it will beunderstood that all clients end the corresponding electronic deal bytransmitting the end identifier from the server 11 to each client 12,13, 14. In this case, since the electronic transaction procedure 31, ifremained within the storage device 114, might be deciphered and abused,the status 613 is changed from “UNDER PROCESS” to “END” , and then theelectronic transaction procedure 31 is erased from the storage device114.

If the end identifier is not included in the received data, the arrivaltime 516 of data is written in the progression table 51 (at step 3207).

Then, the duty procedure 313 is retrieved from within the storage device124 on the basis of the electronic transaction procedure ID 512 includedin the progression table 51 (at step 3208). In addition, the processprocedure 314 to be used this time is retrieved from the retrieved dutyprocedure 313 on the basis of the process names column 515 included inthe progression table 51 (at step 3209).

Thereafter, the retrieved process procedure 314 is analyzed by theanalyzer 21 (at step 3210), and the processor 22 executes the processprocedure 314 analyzed by the analyzer 21 by using the process library23, producing a message on the basis of the message generating method434 of the process procedure 314 (at step 3211).

Here, this produced message includes, if it is for an order inputprocess, information about a buyer containing a name, address, telephonenumber, mail address and IP address, delivery address information (aname, address, telephone number, mail address and IP address) for thecase where the address for delivery is different from that of the buyer,information associated with a seller (a store name, store ID, IP addressand so on), information concerned with a financial institution (aninstitution name, institution ID, IP address and so on), informationabout goods to be purchased which contain total purchase amounts, totalpurchase number, brand name, commodity code, unit cost of each commodityand purchase number of each commodity, information about settlement(e.g., for credit settlement; credit number, validity period, how to payand so on, and for direct payment to a bank; bank account number, branchname, deposit items and so on) which is ciphered on the buyer side byuse of an open key of a financial institution and signed in a digitalform by the buyer, transaction ID for identifying a deal at a seller,time at which a buyer transmitted a message, digital signatureindicating that the buyer himself transmitted, and so on.

In addition, the message includes, if it is for orderacceptance/authorization request, information about a buyer, informationassociated with a seller, information about a financial institution,information associated with settlement which is ciphered on the buyerside by use of an open key of a financial institution and signed in adigital form by the buyer, transaction ID for identifying a deal at aseller, time at which a buyer transmitted a message, digital signatureindicating that the buyer himself transmitted, and so on.

Then, the process completion time 517 is written in the progressiontable 51 (at step 3212), and the next participant is retrieved from theprogression table 51 (at step 3213).

At step 3214, if the next participant is present, the program goes tostep 3215, and if it is not present, the program goes to step 3217.

If the next participant is present, the processor 22 makes use of thecommunication library 24 and transmits to the next participant themessage produced by the processor 22 and the progression table 51through the communication network 15 on the basis of the messagetransmission method 436 included in the process procedure 314 (at step3215). Then, the progression table 51 is transmitted to the electronictransaction server 11 through the communication network 15 (at step3216), and the program goes to step 3203.

On the other hand, if the next participant is not present, the endidentifier and the progression table 51 are transmitted to theelectronic transaction server 11 through the communication network 15(at step 3217), and the program goes to step 3203. If the end of thedeal is recognized by analyzing the progression table 51 of the datawhich the electronic transaction server 11 received, the end identifieris not necessary. In this case, however, the processing speed becomesslow.

Thus, according to this embodiment, since the progression table 51 isgenerated at each electronic deal and used to manage the situations inwhich each electronic transaction client 12, 13, 14 processes, thesituations in which a deal progresses can be independently managed eventhough the electronic transaction procedure is changed. In addition, theelectronic transaction procedure itself can be prevented from beingcomplicated, and the burden on the operation for its generation can bedecreased.

The second embodiment of the invention in which the electronictransaction procedure is transmitted together with a message will bedescribed in detail with reference to drawings.

FIGS. 18 to 23 are flow charts to which reference is made in explainingthe second embodiment of the invention. Of these figures, FIGS. 18 and19 are flow charts for the operation including the data transmission andreception between the electronic transaction client 12 (buyer) and theelectronic transaction server 11, FIG. 20 is a flow chart for theoperation including the data transmission and reception between theelectronic transaction client 13 (seller) and the electronic transactionclient 14 (financial institution), and FIG. 21 is a flow chart for theinternal process of the electronic transaction server 11. Also, FIGS. 22and 23 are flow charts for electronic transaction process in theelectronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14.

The whole arrangement of the electronic transaction system including theapparatus or units for realizing this embodiment is assumed to be asshown in FIG. 2, and the module structure of each client 12, 13, 14 isalso assumed to be as shown in FIG. 3.

In addition, the electronic transaction procedure will be described withreference to FIGS. 10 to 14, the progression table to FIG. 15, theelectronic transaction management table to FIG. 16, and the electronictransaction procedure selection table to FIG. 17.

The operations of this embodiment according to the flow charts of FIGS.18 to 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and FIGS. 10 to17.

The offer/retrieval/decision of information about goods to be treated inan electronic deal are assumed to be finished. Moreover, the electronicdeal is assumed to be started from the electronic transaction client 12.

First, all the process for the electronic deal will be described withreference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

Step 4201

A buyer inputs settlement information by the input unit 122 of theelectronic transaction client 12. Here, the buyer inputs a settlementmeans (credit settlement or direct payment to a bank is selected) andthe name of a financial institution (the name of a credit company orbank).

Step 4202

The electronic transaction client 12 transmits the settlement inputtedat step 4201, through the communication network 15 to the electronictransaction server 11.

Step 4101

The electronic transaction server 11 receives the settlement informationfrom the electronic transaction client 12 through the communicationnetwork 15.

Step 4102

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the electronictransaction ID for identifying this electronic transaction.

Step 4103

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure 31 from the storage device 114 on the basis of thesettlement information received from the electronic transaction client12 and the electronic transaction procedure selection table 71.

Step 4104

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the progression table 51as shown in FIG. 15 on the basis of the order table 312 included in theretrieved electronic transaction procedure 31.

Step 4105

The electronic transaction server 11 causes the generated progressiontable 51 to be stored in the storage device 114.

Step 4106

The electronic transaction server 11 writes “UNDER PROCESS” at thelocation of the electronic transaction ID corresponding to theelectronic transaction ID generated a t step 4102 in the status column613 of the its own electronic transaction management table 61, with theprevious contents being erased therefrom.

Step 4107

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the progression table 51through the communication network 15 to the participants (here, theelectronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14) included in the participantstable 311 of the electronic transaction procedure 31 retrieved at step4103.

Steps 4203, 4301, 4401

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 receive the progressiontable 51 from the electronic transaction server 11 through thecommunication network 15.

Steps 4204, 4302, 4402

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 write “UNDER PROCESS”at the location of the electronic transaction ID corresponding to theelectronic transaction ID 511 included in the received progression table51, in the status column 613 of their own electronic transactionmanagement table 61 stored within the storage device 124, 134, 144, withthe previous contents being erased therefrom.

Steps 4205, 4303, 4403

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 force the receivedprogression table 51 to be stored in the storage devices 124, 134 and144, respectively.

Step 4108

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the first participantfrom the progression table 51.

Step 4109

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the electronictransaction procedure 31 retrieved at step 4103, through thecommunication network 15 to the retrieved first participant.

Step 4110

The electronic transaction server 11 executes the electronic transactionserver process. This electronic server process will be mentioned laterwith reference to FIG. 21.

Steps 4207, 4304, 4404

The electronic transaction clients 12, 13 and 14 execute an electronictransaction process. This electronic transaction process will bedescribed later with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

Electronic Transaction Server Process

The electronic transaction server process will be described withreference to FIG. 21.

The electronic transaction server 11 receives data from a participant(at step 5101), and causes the storage device 114 to erase the previousprogression table and newly store the progression table 51 included inthe received data (at step 5102).

In other words, the progression table used in the previous electronicdeal is replaced by the progression table 51 received from theparticipant. Thus, the server 11 always has the newest progressiontable.

Then, decision is made of whether the “END” identifier is included inthe received data (at step 5103). If it is included, the program goes tostep 5104. If it is not included, the program goes to step 5101.

If the “END” identifier is included in the received data, the changefrom “UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of the electronictransaction ID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 511included in this received progression table 51, in the status column 613of its own electronic transaction management table 61 (at step 5104).

The electronic transaction procedure 31 corresponding to the electronictransaction procedure ID 512 is retrieved from the storage device 114 onthe basis of the electronic transaction procedure ID 512 included in theprogression table 51 (at step 5105).

Then, the progression table 51 meaning the end of the deal istransmitted to the participants included in the participants table 311of the retrieved electronic transaction procedure 31, and thiselectronic deal ends (at step 5106).

Electronic Transaction Process

The electronic transaction process will be described with reference toFIGS. 22 and 23. Here, since the operations of the electronictransaction clients 12, 13 and 14 are the same, the operation of theclient 12 as a typical example will be mentioned below.

The electronic transaction client 12 receives data from anotherparticipant or electronic transaction server 11 (at step 5201), andreplaces the progression table stored in the storage device 124 by theprogression table 51 included in the received data (at step 5202).

In other words, the progression table used in the previous transactionprocess is erased, and instead the new progression table 51 is stored inthe storage device.

Then, decision is made of whether the electronic transaction procedure31 is included in the received data (at step 5203). If it is included,the program goes to step 5205. If it is not included, the program goesto step 5204.

If the electronic transaction procedure 31 is not included in thereceived data, the sever 11 transmits the progression table indicativeof the end of this electronic deal. Therefore, the change from “UNDERPROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of the electronic transactionID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 511 included in thisreceived progression table 51, in the status column 613 of theelectronic transaction management table 61, and this electronic dealends (at step 5204).

If the electronic transaction procedure 31 is included in the receiveddata, the data is from the client that has completed the process justbefore. Therefore, the arrival time 516 at which the data was receivedis written in the progression table 51 (at step 5205).

Then, the process procedure 314 to be used this time is retrieved fromthis received electronic transaction procedure 31 on the basis of theprocess name 515 included in the progression table 51 (at step 5206).

The retrieved process procedure 314 is analyzed by the analyzer 21 (atstep 5207). The processor 22 executes the process procedure 314 analyzedby the analyzer 21 by use of the process library 23, and a message isgenerated on the basis of the message generating method 434 of theprocess procedure 314 (at step 5208).

The process completion time 517 is written in the progression table 51(at step 5209). The next participant name 514 is retrieved from theprogression table 51 (at step 5210).

If the next participant is present, the program goes to step 5212. Ifthe next participant is not present, the program goes to step 5214 (atstep 5211).

If the next participant is present, the processor 22 transmits to theparticipant the message produced by the processor 22, the progressiontable 51 and the received electronic transaction procedure 31 throughthe communication network 15 on the basis of the message transmissionmethod 436 included in the process procedure 314 and by use of thecommunication library 24 (at step 5212).

The progression table 51 is transmitted to the electronic transactionserver 11 through the communication network 15 (at step 5213), and theprogram goes back to step 5201.

If the next participant is not present, the “END” identifier and theprogression table 51 are transmitted to the electronic transactionserver 11 through the communication network 15 (at step 5214), and theprogram goes back to step 5201.

Thus, according to this embodiment, since the electronic transactionprocedure is not distributed to the participants at a time, butdistributed together with the message, it is not necessary for theelectronic transaction clients to manage the electronic transactionprocedure. Thus, the electronic transaction procedure can be preventedfrom being falsified or changed otherwise on the electronic transactionclient side. In this embodiment, it should be noted that thetransmission of the progression table from the server 11 to each clientis made for the purpose of starting or ending the electronic deal.

Although the electronic transaction procedure is transmitted to the nextparticipant at step 5212, the already finished process procedure may beremoved here before transmission. Thus, the amount of data beingtransmitted can be reduced. In addition, if the final participantsupplies all the process procedure back to the server 11, the endidentifier can be omitted. In this case, however, the communicationtraffic between the server and the clients is increased.

The third embodiment of the invention in which the electronictransaction procedure is transmitted together with a message will bedescribed in detail with reference to drawings.

FIGS. 24 to 27 are flow charts for the operations according to the thirdembodiment of the invention. Of these figures, FIG. 24 is a flow chartof the electronic transaction server 11, FIG. 25 is a detailed flowchart of the electronic transaction server process in the electronictransaction server 11, and FIGS. 26 and 27 are detailed flow charts ofthe electronic transaction process in the electronic transaction client12.

All the process in the electronic transaction client 12 will bementioned with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 18. In addition, itis assumed that the whole structure of the electronic transaction systemincluding the apparatus or units for realizing this embodiment is asshown in FIG. 2 and that the module construction of each client 12, 13,14 is as shown in FIG. 3.

The electronic transaction procedure can be explained with reference toFIGS. 10 to 14, the progression table to FIG. 15, the electronictransaction management table to FIG. 16, and the electronic transactionprocedure selection table to FIG. 17.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to theflow charts of FIGS. 24 to 27. The offer/retrieval/decision ofinformation about the goods to be treated in electronic dealings areassumed to be already finished. Also, the electronic deal is startedfrom the electronic transaction client 12.

First, all the process in the electronic transaction server 11 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 24.

Step 6101

The electronic transaction server 11 receives settlement informationfrom the electronic transaction client 12 through the communicationnetwork 15.

Step 6102

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the electronictransaction ID.

Step 6103

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure 31 corresponding to the settlement informationfrom the storage device 114 on the basis of the received settlementinformation and the electronic transaction procedure selection table 71.

Step 6104

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the progression table 51shown in FIG. 15 on the basis of the order table 312 included in theretrieved electronic transaction procedure 31.

Step 6105

The electronic transaction server 11 causes the storage device 114 tostore the generated progression table 51.

Step 6106

The electronic transaction server 11 writes “UNDER PROCESS” at thelocation of the electronic transaction ID corresponding to theelectronic transaction ID generated at step 6102 in the status column613 of its own electronic transaction management table 61.

Step 6107

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the generated progressiontable 51 through the communication network 15 to the participants (here,the electronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14) included in theparticipants table 311 of the electronic transaction procedure 31retrieved at step 6103.

Step 6108

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the first participantfrom the progression table 51.

Step 6109

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the process procedure 314which the first participant executes, from the retrieved electronictransaction procedure.

Step 6110

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the retrieved processprocedure 314 through the communication network 15 to the firstparticipant.

Step 6111

The electronic transaction server 11 executes the electronic transactionserver process shown in FIG. 25.

Electronic Transaction Server Process

The electronic transaction server process will be described withreference to FIG. 25.

The electronic transaction server 11 receives data from the participant(at step 7101), and replaces the progression table stored in the storagedevice 114 by the progression table 51 included in the received data(step 7102).

The electronic transaction procedure 31 corresponding to the electronictransaction procedure ID 512 is retrieved from the storage device 114 onthe basis of the electronic transaction procedure ID 512 included in theprogression table 51 (at step 7103).

Then, decision is made of whether the end identifier is included in thereceived data (at step 7104). If it is included, the program goes tostep 7105. If it is not included, the program goes to step 7107.

If the end identifier is included in the received data, the change from“UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of the electronictransaction ID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 511included in this received progression table 51, in the status column 613of its own electronic transaction management table 61 (at step 7105).Thereafter, the progression table 51 indicative of the end of the dealis transmitted to the participants included in the participants table311 of the retrieved transaction procedure 31 (at step 7106), and thisdeal ends.

If the end identifier is not included in the received data, the nextprocess name 515 is retrieved from the progression table 51 (at step7107). The process procedure 314 corresponding to the next process name515 is retrieved from the electronic transaction procedure 31 retrievedat step 7103 (at step 7108).

Then, the retrieved process procedure 314 is transmitted to theparticipant that transmitted data at step 7101 (at step 7109).

Electronic Transaction Process

The electronic transaction process will be described with reference toFIGS. 26 and 27. Since the operations of the electronic transactionclients 12, 13 and 14 are the same, the operation of the electronictransaction client 12 as a typical example will be described below.

The electronic transaction client 12 receives data from another clientor electronic transaction server 11 (at step 7201), and replaces theprogression table stored in the storage device 124 by the progressiontable 51 included in the received data (at step 7202). In other words,the progression table 51 used in the previous electronic deal process iserased, and instead the new progression table 51 is stored in thestorage device.

Then, decision is made of whether the process procedure 314 is includedin the received data (at step 7203). If it is included, the program goesto step 7205, and it is not included, the program goes to step 7204 (atstep 7203).

If the process procedure 314 is not included in the received data, theprogression table indicative of the end of the deal is transmitted fromthe server 11. Thus, the change from “UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made atthe location of the electronic transaction ID corresponding to theelectronic transaction ID 511 included in this received progressiontable 51 in the status column 613 of its own electronic transactionmanagement table 61, and this deal ends (at step 7204).

If the process procedure 314 is included in the received data, the datahas been received from the participant just before. Therefore, thearrival time 516 of this received data is written in the progressiontable 51 (at step 7205).

Then, the received process procedure 314 is analyzed by the analyzer 21(at step 7206). The processor 22 executes the process procedure 314analyzed by the analyzer 21 by use of the process library 23, andgenerates a message on the basis of the message generating method 434 ofthe process procedure 314 (at step 7207).

The process completion time 517 is written in the progression table 51(at step 7208). The next participant 514 is retrieved from theprogression table 51 (at step 7209).

If the next participant is present, the program goes to step 7211, andif it is not present, the program goes to step 7214 (at step 7210).

If the next participant is present, the progression table 51 istransmitted through the communication network 15 to the electronictransaction server 11 (at step 7211).

Then, the process procedure 314 for the next participant is receivedfrom the electronic transaction server 11 through the communicationnetwork 15 (at step 7212).

The processor 22 transmits to the next participant the message generatedat the processor 22, the progression table 51 and the process procedure314 received at step 7212 through the communication network 15 on thebasis of the message transmitting method 436 included in the processprocedure 314 received at step 7201 and by use of the communicationlibrary 24 (at step 7213). Then, the program goes back to step 7201.

If the next participant is not present, the end identifier and theprogression table 51 are transmitted to the electronic transactionserver 11 through the communication network 15 (at step 7214). Then, theprogram goes back to step 7201.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the electronic transaction procedurewhich each client 12, 13, 14 needs for making an electronic deal is notdistributed to the clients at a time, but only the process procedurenecessary for the participant at the current stage is distributed to theclient as the next participant according to the electronic transactionprocedure, from the upstream-side client. Therefore, procedureinformation more than required can be prevented from being perceived byeach client. Here, it should be noted that the transmission of theprocess procedure to be executed by the next participant from the server11 to a data source participant that previously transmitted data alsoimplies a kind of an acknowledge signal in response to the transmissionof completion of the process procedure sent from the data sourceparticipant to the server 11.

There is an advantage that the amount of communication data in the thirdembodiment is less than in the second embodiment.

In this case, it can be considered that instead of transmitting theprocess procedure the downstream-side client needs from theupstream-side client to the downstream-side client, the downstream-sideclient itself requests the electronic transaction server to send theprocess procedure necessary for the client itself at the time ofstarting its own process procedure.

FIGS. 28 to 31 are flow charts for the operations in the fourthembodiment of the invention, in which the downstream-side client itselfrequests the server 11 to send the process procedure necessary for theclient itself at the time of starting its own process procedure.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of the electronic transaction server 11, FIG. 29is a detailed flow chart of the electronic transaction server process inthe server 11, and FIGS. 30 and 31 are detailed flow charts of theelectronic transaction process in the client 12.

The whole process in the client 12 will be explained with reference tothe flow chart of FIG. 18. In addition, it is assumed that the wholeconstruction of the electronic transaction system including theapparatus and units for realizing this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 2,and that the module structure of each client 12, 13, 14 is as shown inFIG. 3.

The electronic transaction procedure will be mentioned with reference toFIGS. 10 to 14, the progression table to FIG. 15, the electronictransaction management table to FIG. 16, and the electronic transactionprocedure selection table to FIG. 17.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to theflow charts of FIGS. 28 to 31. The offer/retrieval/decision ofinformation about the goods to be treated in a deal is assumed to bealready finished. Also, the electronic deal is started from theelectronic transaction client 12.

First, all the process of the electronic transaction server 11 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 28.

Step 6601

The electronic transaction server 11 receives settlement informationfrom the electronic transaction client 12 through the communicationnetwork 15.

Step 6602

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the electronictransaction ID.

Step 6603

The electronic transaction server 11 retrieves the electronictransaction procedure 31 corresponding to the settlement informationfrom the storage device 114 on the basis of the settlement informationreceived from the electronic transaction client 12 and the electronictransaction procedure selection table 71.

Step 6604

The electronic transaction server 11 generates the progression table 51as shown in FIG. 15 on the basis of the order table 312 included in theretrieved electronic transaction procedure 31.

Step 6605

The electronic transaction server 11 controls the storage device 114 tostore the generated progression table 51.

Step 6606

The electronic transaction server 11 writes “UNDER PROCESS” at thelocation of the electronic transaction ID corresponding to theelectronic transaction ID generated at step 6602 in the status column613 of its own electronic transaction management table 61.

Step 6607

The electronic transaction server 11 transmits the progression table 51through the communication network 15 to the participants (here, theelectronic transaction clients 12, 13, 14) included in the participantstable 311 of the electronic transaction procedure 31 retrieved at step6603.

Step 6608

The electronic transaction server 11 executes the electronic transactionserver process shown in FIG. 29.

Electronic Transaction Server Process

The electronic transaction server process will be described withreference to FIG. 29.

The electronic transaction server 11 receives data from a participant(at step 7601), and stores the progression table 51 included in thereceived data in the storage device 114 in place of the previousprogression table (at step 7602).

The server retrieves the electronic transaction procedure 31corresponding to the electronic transaction procedure ID 512 from thestorage device 114 on the basis of the electronic transaction procedureID 512 included in the received progression table 51 (at step 7603).

Then, decision is made of whether the process request identifier isincluded in the received data (at step 7604). If it is included, theprogram goes to step 7605, and if it is not included, the program goesto step 7608. In addition, decision is made of whether the endidentifier is included in the received data (at step 7605). If it isincluded, the program goes to step 7606, and if it is not included, theprogram goes to step 7601 (at step 7605).

If the end identifier is included in the received data, the change from“UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of the electronictransaction ID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID 511included in the received progression table 51, in the status column 613of its own electronic transaction management table 61 (at step 7606).

The progression table 51 is transmitted to all the participants includedin the participants table 311 of the electronic transaction procedure 31retrieved at step 7603, and this electronic deal ends (at step 7607).

If the process request identifier is included in the received data, thenext process name 515 (the name of the process to be executed this timeat the participant from which data was transmitted at step 7601) isretrieved from the progression table 51 (at step 7608).

Then, the process procedure 314 corresponding to the retrieved processname 515 is retrieved from the electronic transaction procedure 31 (atstep 7609).

The retrieved process procedure 314 is transmitted to the participantfrom which data was transmitted at step 7601 (at step 7610), andthereafter the program goes back to step 7601 where data is received.

Electronic Transaction Process

The electronic transaction process will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 30 and 31. Since the operations of the electronictransaction clients 12, 13 and 14 are the same, the operation of theclient 12 will be described here as a typical example.

The electronic transaction client 12 retrieves the participant name 514who first makes a process from the progression table 51 received fromthe server 11 (at step 7701).

If the participant who first makes a process is the participantconcerned, or yourself, the program goes to step 7707, and if it is notso, the program goes to step 7703 (at step 7702).

If the participant who first makes a process is not yourself, data isreceived from another participant or server 11 (at step 7703).

Then, the progression table 51 included in the received data is writtenin the storage device 124 in place of the previous progression table (atstep 7704).

If the process procedure 314 is included in the received data, whichmeans that the preceding participant already finished the processprocedure, the program goes to step 7707, and if it is not so, whichmeans that this electronic deal was finished, or that it is theprogression table from the server 11, the program goes to step 7706 (atstep 7705).

If the process procedure 314 is not included in the received data, thechange from “UNDER PROCESS” to “END” is made at the location of theelectronic transaction ID corresponding to the electronic transaction ID511 included in this received progression table 51, in the status column613 of its own electronic transaction management table 61 (at step7706), and the electronic transaction process ends.

If the process procedure 314 is included in the received data, thearrival time 516 of the received data is written in the progressiontable 51 (at step 7707).

Then, the process request identifier and progression table 51 aretransmitted to the electronic transaction server 11 through thecommunication network 15 (step 7708).

The process procedure 314 to be next executed by yourself is receivedfrom the server 11 through the communication network 15 (at step 7709).

The received process procedure 314 is analyzed by the analyzer 21 (atstep 7710). The processor 22 executes the analyzed process procedure 314by use of the process library 23 and generates a message according tothe message generating method 434 of the process procedure 314 (at step7711).

The process completion time 517 is written in the progression table 51(at step 7712). Then, the next participant name 514 is retrieved fromthe progression table 51 (step 7713).

If the next participant is present, the program goes to step 7715, andif it is not so, the program goes to step 7717 (at step 7714).

If the next participant is present, the processor 22 transmits themessage produced at the processor 22 and the progression table 51through the communication network 15 to the next participant, or clienton the basis of the message transmitting method 436 included in theprocess procedure 314 and by use of the communication library 24 (atstep 7715). In addition, the progression table 51 is transmitted throughthe communication network 15 to the electronic transaction server 11 (atstep 7716), and the program goes back to step 7701.

If the next participant is not present, the end identifier and theprogress table 51 are transmitted through the communication network 15to the electronic transaction server 11 (at step 7717), and the programgoes back to step 7701.

Thus, instead of the fact that the precess procedure the downstream-sideclient needs is transmitted from the upstream-side client to thedownstream-side client, the downstream-side client itself requests theserver 11 to send its own necessary process procedure. Therefore, likethe third embodiment, procedure information more than required can beprevented from being perceived.

In addition, the amount of communication data is less than in the secondembodiment.

In the third embodiment, since the upstream-side client requests theserver 11 to send the necessary process procedure and distributes it tothe downstream-side client, there is a possibility that the informationof process procedure is known by the upstream client. Contrarily, in thefourth embodiment, since the participant concerned, or yourself requeststhe server 11 to send the necessary process procedure, our own processprocedure can be protected from the reveal to other participants.

Moreover, in this embodiment, if the name of the server 11 is written inthe progression table 51 as the final participant name, the server 11can recognize the end of the electronic deal from the progression table51, and thus the end identifier can be omitted.

While in all the embodiments given above the electronic transactionserver 11 is provided as an independent unit, any one of the electronictransaction clients 12, 13 and 14 may function as both the server anditself instead of that independent server.

Thus, according to the embodiments of the invention, before starting anelectronic deal, the buyer, electronic transaction client inputsinformation of settlement means, amount of deal and the contents andproperty of goods, and transmits it as electronic transaction procedureselection information to the electronic transaction server. The severretrieves the electronic transaction procedure corresponding to theelectronic transaction procedure selection information from the storagedevice, and distributes it to the client associated with this electronicdeal. Therefore, since any electronic deal is executed according to theelectronic transaction procedure received by each client, there is noneed to previously hold the electronic transaction procedurecorresponding to various kinds of settlement means or the like in eachclient, with the result that the electronic deal can be flexiblyperformed.

In addition, even though the electronic transaction procedure isrequired to change for the reasons to improve the service to the buyer,only the electronic transaction procedures stored in the storage deviceof the server are changed to cope with it, and thus the change of theelectronic transaction procedure can be made swiftly and simply.

Moreover, since each client needs to have incorporated therein only acommunication processing function which is capable of receiving theelectronic transaction procedure distributed from the server, thecapacity of the storage device can be reduced.

Also, since the progression table is generated at each deal and used tomanage the situations of the process in each client, the progressivesituations of dealings can be managed independently even though theelectronic transaction procedure is altered, and the electronictransaction procedure itself can be prevented from being complicated.Thus, the burden on the generation operations can be reduced.

In addition, since the electronic transaction procedure is notdistributed to all the participants at a time, but distributed togetherwith a message, each client does not need to manage the electronictransaction procedure, and thus the electronic transaction procedure canbe prevented from being altered or falsified at each client.

Furthermore, since only the process procedure required by the nextparticipant at the present stage is sent from the upstream-side clientor the downstream-side client itself requests the server to send its ownnecessary process procedure, instead of the fact that the electronictransaction procedure required for an electronic deal by each client isdistributed to the clients at a time, procedure information more thannecessary can be prevented from being revealed to each client, and thereis the effect that the amount of communication data can be reduced.

What is claimed is:
 1. A server computer for conducting an electronicdeal with client terminals via a communication network, comprising:receiving means for receiving first information as to a settlementmethod, desired by a purchaser, from a purchaser side client terminal ona purchaser side of said electronic deal; a storage device for storingsecond information to be used for a process to be executed by saidpurchaser side client terminal, said second information being stored foreach of a plurality of settlement methods for said electronic deal;retrieving means for retrieving, from said storage device, secondinformation corresponding to the first information thus received; andtransmitting means for transmitting the second information thusretrieved to said purchaserside client terminal.
 2. The server computeraccording to claim 1, wherein said second information is information tobe used as part of a series of processes which are necessary forcompleting said electronic deal.
 3. The server computer according toclaim 2, wherein the information to be used for the part of theprocesses is information for a settlement process to be executed by saidpurchaser side client terminal.
 4. The server computer according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of settlement methods include asettlement by credit and a settlement by direct payment to a bank. 5.The server computer according to claim 1, wherein said receiving meansreceives said first information from said purchaser side client terminalprior to start of said electronic deal, wherein said retrieving meansretrieves, from said storage means, said second informationcorresponding to the first information thus received prior to start ofsaid electronic deal, and wherein said transmitting means transmits thesecond information thus retrieved to said purchaser side client terminalprior to the start of said electronic mail.
 6. The server computeraccording to claim 1, further comprising: updating means for updatingsecond information stored in said storage device, and wherein saidtransmitting means transmits the second information thus updated to saidpurchaser side client terminal.
 7. A method for conducting an electronicdeal with client terminals via a communication network, comprising thesteps of: receiving first information as to a settlement method, desiredby a purchaser, from a purchaser side client terminal on a purchaserside of said electronic deal; retrieving second informationcorresponding to the first information thus received from a storagedevice for storing second information to be used for a process to beexecuted by said purchaser side client terminal, said second informationbeing stored for each of a plurality of settlement methods for saidelectronic deal; and transmitting the second information thus retrievedto said purchaser side client terminal.
 8. The method according to claim7, wherein said second information is information to be used for a partof a series of processes which are necessary for completing saidelectronic deal.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein theinformation to be used for the part of the processes is information fora settlement process to be executed by said purchaser side clientterminal.
 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein said plurality ofsettlement methods include a settlement by credit and a settlement bydirect payment to a bank.
 11. The method according to claim 7, whereinin said receiving step, said first information is received from saidpurchaser side client terminal prior to start of said electronic deal,wherein in said retrieving step, said second information correspondingto the first information thus received is retrieved from said storagedevice prior to start of said electronic deal, and wherein in saidtransmitting step, the second information thus retrieved is transmittedto the said purchaser side client terminal prior to the start of saidelectronic deal.
 12. The method according to claim 7, further comprisingthe step of: updating second information stored in said storage device,wherein in said transmitting step, the second information thus updatedis transmitted to said purchaser side client terminal.